The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1887-08-06
| CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

for til river at "a point nearly opposite
me. pulled Mexico over the Indians
body, and mounting him made my way
with cautious expedition down the valley.
Fortunately the bottoms for several miles
below were covered with groves of cot
tonwood which screened me from the
keen vision of my foes. Before long |
was urging the pony at dead run, and
the little fellow did nobly. must have
ridden fifteen miles before l Stacked his
speed. There were no indications that l
had been seen by single being, yet
felt particularly uncomfortable neverth'
less.
Coming to limpid stream Mexico and
| quenched our thirst. Meanwhile | re-
volved the situation in my mind. What
should do? What could do but pro-
coed down the river with all possible dis
patch and hang on to my scalp to the
"last ditch?"
Forthwith | started But | had not
ridden dozen PAGES when | sighted
figure skulking in the bushes ten rods be-
low. The next second a bullet whiZzed
through my cap. whirld the pony into
clump Of young ash just as another
missile screeched by my ears.
l was i'll for scrimmage now i'll spite
of fate" I hastily secrcted Mexico I'M
der the streamet's bank where he would
be sheltered from immediate peril-for
live horse was somewhat more valuable
than a doad one is almost any phase of
the emergency short of my death. Death!
| shuddered as the possible outcome of
the encounter was realized.
did not catch more than a glimpse Of
my foe, and he could scarcely have dis
tingulshed me from mere moving form.
Whether there was more than one red
skin could not tell. l thought not, from
the fact of the utter silence which pre-
vailed
l carefully examined my carbine and
cautiously crept along to where fallen
tree upreared its scragley mass of roots
and earth. Peerlng through the inter
sectces | saw a horse tethered to shrub
hundred yards away. A blanket was
thrown over his back, and a couple dozen
steel traps were dangling at his sides.
"Mr. Reid has killed trapper and has
been picking up his traps" thought |.
But he kept himself under cover.
waited several minutes. Presently
heard slight noise which evidently pro-
ceeded from behind an old stub which
the lighting had split in twain, the re-
naming half of which was riddled with
excavations of wcodpeckers. Pushing my
carbine through a hole pointed it at the
stub. Then l softly withdrew it,
What if l was mistaken" thought |,
"and the redskin was watching for me
from some other point? | would draw
his fire upon me with possible disaster.
Still, if he should be reinforced by even
one of his fellows, the issue could not
but become perilous to me in the ex-
treme."
| again reconnoitered the stub. Was
that the glitter of a fierce eye peering
through an aperture somewhat larger
than the rest? Surely it was. Deliber-
ately aiming touched the trigger. Be
fore the smoke cleared away, a ball
struck near where my gun had protruded.
| scanned the stub 1t was also wreathed
in smoke.
Hoping to penetrate the apparent shell
of wood which protected my enemy rap
idly fired three shots. What was my
amazement to find them returned much
quicker than had delivered mine He
was not only game but evidently had
repeating arm similar - mine.
1 rcpicnished my magazine and re-
| Elected on the situation. The redskins
horse was easily within range, but if
could put ball in the owner, his steed
would be profitable prey providing |
could get him down the river. Finally
decided on a ruse. selected small
stick, and putting my cap on one END of
it stuck it in the earth, allowing the cap
to project beyond the roots where it
could be seen by the redskin. l then
crept to the opposite side AMI sharply
watched the stub. For Eve minutes all
was still. Then heard rustic as of
shutting feet. The next moment I was
the most astonished individual in that vi
entity to say the least.
'Hawl-lo, thar, stranger"
My hands relaxed their grip of the car
bine and stared at the stub expecting to
see it metamorphosed.
''lIawl-LlC! say thar"
scanned every tree and nook around
me and again turned my eyes on the
stub
Stranger. be yer white? Put up yer
shootin' iron and show yerself;" and
hand, holding a carbine by the muzzle,
was thurst from behind the tree swing
ing the gun to and fro. ] impulsively
duplicated the act. Then man stepped
forth, and | followed suit We coolly
surveyed each other, probably full
minute. Then my late ''redskin" walked
slowly up to me.
Stranger, he SAID, you're the fust
white man tibet ever popped me in tibet
ar way and he took off his hat, disclos-
ing slight scar just above the temple.
Pm very sorry" returned, "but you
begun it"
81 don't deny it, friend, l don't deny
it. But if yer'd bin III my tracks fur
goln' two days, yer mought have bin
leetle off yerself;' and he calmly dove
his hand intoa gaping cavity in his jacket,
bringing forth a tooth corroded hunk of
tobacco which he proceeded to gnaw
He was curious specimen of humanity.
He was of medium height, and of such
loose, unganily build that his limbs
seemed ready to separate from the body
at the least provocation. His unkempt
hair was of the hue of dingy tow. A
stubby, whitish- gray beard covered his
| face to the under lids of his eyes His
orbs, vapid as his countenance, emittud
sharp, scrutinizing CLEANS of light as he